"Why not issue an order preventing clan-affiliated ninjas from holding positions in the village departments?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "No, that's not the approach I want to take. Instead, I plan to encourage more clan ninjas to join these departments."
Kagami looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Wasn't this just feeding the problem? He had just pointed out the issue, and now he wanted to expand it?
Seeing Kagami's doubtful expression, Hiruzen asked, "Is the village currently facing a shortage of ninjas?"
"There are plenty of ninjas from the clans," Kagami replied, "but not many of them who would prioritize serving the village over their family."
"In that case, the solution is simple," Hiruzen said. "We just need to convert these clan ninjas into officially registered village ninjas." He made a scooping motion with his hand. "Let's push the clans to send more of their members forward. Once we know how many are unregistered, we bring them all in."
"Did you think they'll just sit around and wait for that to happen?" Kagami raised an eyebrow. "They're not that naive."
"I have a solution for that," Hiruzen said. "We could introduce a salary system based on ninja ranks. For instance, academy graduates in the reserve force would receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 ryo."
"Genin would earn 3,000, chunin 5,000, and jonin 8,000. Those in key administrative positions—let's call them senior ninjas—would receive 12,000."
"Hokage assistants would get 20,000, and the Hokage himself would be paid 30,000."
"By providing a steady income in addition to mission rewards, we can make serving the village more financially secure and appealing, reducing the need for shinobi to rely solely on their clans."
Hiruzen's enthusiasm grew as he spoke. This system would shift the ninja economy from being entirely task-based to a more stable three-part structure: rank-based stipends, salaries for official positions, and mission rewards. It would be a more sustainable way of life.
"It sounds promising," Kagami admitted, "but considering that even C-rank missions can pay tens of thousands, aren't these subsidies were a bit low?"
"They can be adjusted," Hiruzen explained. "The key issue is that ninjas often get injured and have no income while they recover. Many are the main providers for their families, so they feel pressured to take missions even when they're not fully healed.
This leads to long-term damage, shortening both their careers and their lives.
With these subsidies, they can afford to rest and recover properly instead of being trapped in a harmful cycle. That doesn't just help individual ninjas—it strengthens Konoha as a whole."
Kagami nodded, starting to see the bigger picture. "I think most ninjas will support this plan."
"But it's not perfect yet," Hiruzen admitted. "I need more input, especially from the Security Department and the timing is crucial. If we roll this out correctly, we can bring the hidden ninjas from the clans into the village's ranks."
He sighed. The recent Security Department reforms hadn't gone as planned. Instead of centralizing power, the division had only strengthened the clans' hold over their respective sections. It was like they were back to square one.
"The Security Department will back you on this," Kagami assured him. "After all, I'm still in charge."
"This plan needs the full support of the Security Department, not just yours as its head," Hiruzen said. "Right now, you've been sidelined, and the three clans under you may not necessarily follow your lead. When the Security Department was restructured, it was agreed that all positions would be reassessed in five years. There's about a year and a half left, so you'd better prepare yourself."
Kagami scoffed. "Sidelined? The Political Department at headquarters is just an empty shell, and the Operations and Training Departments aren't any better. Only the Logistics Department has any real function left."
He leaned back, smirking. "And who's responsible for that? Our dear Third Hokage, who transferred key figures like Homura, the head of the Political Department, to other positions." He gave Hiruzen a teasing look.
Hiruzen sighed. "Don't even get me started."
"When I helped you set up the Security Department, my intention was for my people to build the framework," Hiruzen said. "Once that was done, you were supposed to appoint your own people to run it. Homura is my assistant, and I need him here in the Hokage's office. There are too many responsibilities to juggle. If the Security Department is struggling now, you can't blame me for that."
A few black lines appeared on Hiruzen's forehead—it was as if Kagami was turning the tables on him.
"Honestly, it's my fault," Kagami admitted. "I'm just not suited for this. I'd rather be out on the battlefield than stuck behind a desk."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. This guy was trying to wash his hands of it. No way—was there really no one in the Uchiha clan who could lead?
Wait, what about Setsuna? That old fox was crafty and calculating, but would putting him in charge just create another Uchiha-controlled Security Department?
Testing the waters, Hiruzen asked, "Kagami, what do you think about Setsuna taking over as head of the Security Department? No—actually, I plan to restructure it into the Defense Department. The minister would be treated as a second-in-command of the village.
"I'm thinking of restructuring the Security Department," Hiruzen said. "We could divide it into four main divisions: the General Political Department, General Operations Department, General Training Department, and General Logistics Department."
"At the same time, the current three battalions would be upgraded into independent departments. The Central District Battalion would become the Guard Department, the Patrol Battalion would be renamed the Patrol Department, and the Customs Battalion would turn into the Customs Department."
"These three departments would operate separately but still fall under the overall command of the Defense Department."
"Each of these departments would have its own Political, Operations, Training, and Logistics divisions. That way, the higher-ups would provide oversight while the individual units manage their own affairs."
Kagami groaned. "Another reorganization? You keep changing things, but in the end, it always turns out the same."
"This time, it's different," Hiruzen insisted. "After this restructuring, each department will function like a top-level Konoha institution. The Defense Department won't have direct control over the three departments below it, but it will be able to regulate them. You probably wouldn't grasp the details, but I believe Setsuna will.
"Why don't you find an opportunity to discuss it with him? If things work out, you can focus on being my assistant without all this extra burden." Hiruzen's tone was calm, but there was a clear hint of persuasion. He wasn't worried about Kagami's dedication—he just needed him to see the bigger picture.